We provide bus services in Queenstown and Dunedin to help you get to where you need to go. Our journey planner can help you figure out which bus route is best for you. For those unable to access the bus service we administer the Total Mobility scheme which provides access to subsidised taxi fares.

Submissions

The most effective way for you to influence the resource consent process, is to make a submission on an application.

The Resource Management Act 1991 allows any person or organisation to make a submission on any notified application for resource consent.

Preparing your submission

A submission should clearly explain your views. To understand what the applicant is proposing you should find out as much as possible about the proposal from the consent application.

Talk with the applicant about the proposal and any concerns you may have. You may also wish to talk with organisations or individuals who can provide technical information on the causes and consequences of effects, and possible ways of reducing or avoiding undesirable effects.

Our staff can provide background information about the proposal, explain the legal context and the resource consent procedures.

Your submission will be more effective if it is well structured and to the point, supports your views with adequate information and provides a clear, thorough analysis of the issues.

When writing the submission, keep these points in mind:

decide which are the most important points you want us to consider and concentrate on those

clearly explain how the proposal affects you and how effects could be dealt with (please note that only environmental effects will be considered - it is not the role of the Council to consider effects on trade or business activity)

suggest alternatives to the proposed approach if you wish but provide reasons why these should be considered

if making a request, provide an adequate explanation of why it is needed

make it clear which part of the proposal your comments refer to - where possible refer to page or paragraph numbers

make sure your submission relates to the activity applied for, not peripheral activities.

How to make a submission

There are rules for the presentation of submissions. The submission must be in writing and clearly state:

the name of the applicant and the application (file) number

your reason for making the submission

whether your submission supports or opposes the specific parts of the application, or wish to have them amended

the decision you wish the Council to reach

whether you wish to speak at any hearing

the conditions you feel should be imposed if the consent is granted.

We have standard forms available which you can use for your submission. Email us for a copy of the form.

Copies of your submission should be sent to us and the applicant at the same time.

You have 20 working days after public notification of the application to make your submission. The public notice will specify the addresses you must send your submission to, and the date and time by which it must arrive. Submissions can be sent by mail, fax or delivered in person.

Your submission may be written in Maori if you wish. At any meeting, you may speak in support of your submission in Maori. Please let us know if you would like to speak in Te Reo and an interpreter will be provided.

What happens to your submission?

All submissions received will be carefully considered.

You will be notified of the date of a pre-hearing meeting, should this be called. At this meeting you will be able to question the applicant if it is decided that this would be beneficial and you may, if you wish, speak in support of your submission. A record of the meeting will be circulated and any decision reached will be documented.

You will be notified if a hearing is required. At the hearing you will again have the opportunity to speak.

You will be notified of the final decision. You have the right to appeal the decision, within 15 working days of receiving the decision.

The Resource Management Act 1991 specifies a time frame for the processing of applications. You may be required to respond quickly to any information sent to you.

Page last edited 22 February 2018

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